Adjustable tablecloth with drawstring

ABSTRACT

A reusable fabric indoor or outdoor adjustable tablecloth with drawstring sewn into the hem of the tablecloth to secure the tablecloth around the edge of the tabletop to prevent the tablecloth from blowing away in the wind or pulled off the table by children. The adjustable tablecloth with drawstring includes a grommet pressed into the fabric at a pre-cut opening to protect the fabric from wear and tear. The drawstring passes through the grommet into a cinch which secures the drawstring from slippage. Each end of the exposed drawstring is sealed with glue and secured by an independent knot. The tablecloth is placed over the table and the drawstring pulled tightly through the cinch resulting in the drawstring grabbing the underbelly of the table and tightening securely. This configuration allows the tablecloth to be adjustable, fitting a variety of table sizes and shapes, and protecting the event from the wind.

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents Patent Number Kind Code Issue Dates Patentee 0238087 B1Dec. 2, 2004 Ciapessoni 6014935 Jan. 18, 2000 Willet 5339748 Aug. 23,1994 Billotti 5069554 Dec. 3, 1991 Bonnett 1219790 Mar. 20, 1917 Taylor

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to reusable table covers, and inparticular, to a table cover that may be adapted for use with table topsof different sizes and shapes. The new device secures the tableclothfrom outdoor elements such as wind and indoor elements such asrambunctious children.

2. Description of Related Art

Tablecloths or table covers have long been used both indoors andoutdoors to decorate tables, enhance an event, protect a table surfaceor provide a clean palate for a dirty or damaged outdoor picnic table.Many outdoor picnic or patio tables collect dirt and have peeling paint.Often times bird droppings can be found on picnic tables in the park orbackyard. Picnic tables in the parks are not regularly sanitized. Forhealth, enjoyment and clean food handling a table cover is anappropriate solution.

Young children are sometimes saved in the act of pulling an entire tableof food and dishes down upon themselves when playing near an unsecuredtablecloth. Parents with active toddlers who prefer a tablecloth settingto protect a tabletop will find comfort in a secured drawstringtablecloth knowing it adds an extra layer of protection for their familyor guests.

A common problem found with the use of tablecloths and covers for anoutdoor picnic or event is the ability to secure the tablecloth to thepicnic table to prevent the tablecloth from blowing in the wind. Tosecure tablecloths people have employed the use of clamps and clips,weights, bungee cords, rocks from the ground, ice chests, mayo, ketchupand mustard bottles, 6-packs of cola, water bottles twisted onto thetablecloth corners, knots tied to table legs, duct tape, weightedpockets sewn in after-the-fact, or thumbtacks tacking the cloth directlyto the table and damaging the fabric.

Secured tablecloths found in prior art with a drawstring and straps areoften the disposable type intended to collect items such as crab,oysters, and shrimp shells to be thrown away after one use. With morefocus on environmentally friendly, recyclable, renewable and reusable, along lasting and more durable secured tablecloth is sought.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,935 (2000) Willett includes a protective cover overtop of the food items obscuring the food, condiments, and placesettings. This is highly impractical for the enjoyment of a picnic orevent. This concept is disposable.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,554 (1991) is intended for one-time, disposable useand utilizes a strap system and lifted or raised edge to catch liquidspillage. Bonnett also intends his disposable tablecloth system to beutilized for lawn care garbage and not as a true tablecloth. A typicalgarbage bag should suffice.

U.S. Pat. No. 0,238,087 A1 (2004) Ciapessoni puts forth anotherdisposable tablecloth/garbage bag with drawstring to tie the contents ofthe picnic into the bag and throw in the garbage. This prior art (FIG.16) shows the drawstring exiting the corner of the table. I have foundthis configuration fails to adequately grab the corner and secure thetablecloth to the table against wind.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,748 (1994) Bilotti invokes a complex panel, loops,multiple openings, a sleeve and tongue system with multiple seams. Thedrawstring crisscrosses over itself creating a complicated web ofcording and systems that may not fare well in practical use or thewashing and drying cycles.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,219,790 (1917) Taylor created a reusable drawstringtable top covering to protect a pedestal table top during shipping. Theaim of this prior art was to create a very soft and thick protectivetable cover that could be securely tightened around the base of thepedestal. The fabric is not simply a tablecloth but also a protectivepadding encircling the complete underbelly of the table (FIG. 1). Taylorsecured the drawstring by tying. Today's outdoor, patio and picnictables typically have 4 separate legs, one at each corner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION/EMBODIMENTS

One aim of the present embodiment is to provide a tablecloth which isreusable and secures to a picnic, outdoor or indoor table to protect thepicnic from potentially windy or dirty environments.

Another aim is for the adjustability of the tablecloth for differentsizes and shaped tables.

Another aim is the safety of young children in danger of pulling thetablecloth and contents down upon themselves and others.

The present embodiment comprises a predetermined piece of fabric cut inthe appropriate shape and size for the anticipated picnic or indoortable and utilizes a drawstring sewn into the hem, exiting through agrommet pressed into a pre-cut hole in the hem at one section of thetablecloth. The cinch is then pulled tight to secure the adjustabletablecloth cover. Knots are then tied at the end of each section of thedrawstring past the cinch to prevent slippage of the drawstring backinto the hem, saving the owner from fishing out the drawstring duringthe laundry process. The ends of the drawstring may be glued or heattorched to prevent fraying.

Pulling the cinch tight effectively and easily secures the tablecloth tothe underbelly of the table lip by having the drawstring and fabric grabthe under table.

The secured tablecloth is washable, dryable and recyclable as opposed tothe disposable, one-time use tablecloths.

At the conclusion of the picnic, food, plates and other such items areremoved from the picnic table. The drawstring is un-cinched and loosenedfrom the table, shaken out, folded and stored with the other picnicitems and taken home to be laundered and used another day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a drawstringtablecloth applied to a picnic table.

FIG. 2 is a top plain view of the drawstring tablecloth secured on apicnic table top.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plain view of the drawstring tablecloth secured andgrabbing at the underbelly of the table lip. The drawstring cord exitsthe hem at a predetermined location.

FIG. 4. Is a detail view of the drawstring exit from the hem, the hole,the grommet, cinch and respective knots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed descriptions are the specific embodiments of anadjustable tablecloth with drawstring. This description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of embodiments of the invention.

As seen in FIG. 1, the table is rectangular but may also be anothercommon shape such as square, circle or oval. The size of the table maybe small, medium, or large.

The fabric (1) of the tablecloth is cut to the appropriate size andshape of the table leaving enough extra fabric to grab the underbelly ofthe table lip (8) and sew in a suitable hem (2) large enough for adrawstring to be housed within the hem (2). The fabric corners arerounded when cut for effective sewing and drawstring insertion.

Referring to FIG. 2 the tablecloth of a type, thickness and weight offabric (1) deemed appropriate for the event. Common fabric (1) typesinclude but are not limited to polyester, cotton, rayon, canvas, silk,and cotton-poly.

The drawstring (5) may be made from any durable material such as nylon,cotton, vinyl or plastic. Nylon drawstrings slide more smoothly and aremore effective in the tightening and cinching process.

The length of the drawstring (5) in FIG. 1, shall be cut at a lengthgreater than the perimeter of the table to allow room for saiddrawstring (5) to be pulled tight, leaving two dangling knotted (7)ends. The two ends should be cut to an appropriate length so as not todrag along the ground or be too short. The two ends of the drawstringmay be glued or heat torched to prevent future fraying.

The grommet (4) is commonly made of metal. Grommets may also beconstructed of plastic and come in a variety of colors. The addition ofa grommet (4) reduces wear and tear directly on the fabric fromtightening the drawstring (5).

The cinch (6) in FIG. 4 is commonly made out of plastic and comes in avariety of sizes, hole configurations and colors. I have selected atwo-hole configuration for the two ends of the drawstring (5) butanother configuration could be easily adapted.

The tablecloth is placed out upon the table, and loosely wrapped aroundthe corners of the table in the example FIG. 1. The fabric (1) and thehem (2) are then shimmied around the drawstring (5) toward the back ofthe tablecloth. The front of the tablecloth is considered the locationwhere the drawstring (5) exits (3) the grommet (4) pressed into theinterior of the hem (2). The drawstring (5) is then pulled tight throughthe grommet (4) and cinch (6). The remaining drawstring (5) is visibleand knotted (7) on both ends to prevent the drawstring (5) from slippingback into the opening (3) and hem (2) upon washing and drying.

Regarding FIG. 4 this securing of the fabric (1) around thecircumference of the table with the drawstring (5) and grommet (4)enables the tablecloth to be securely fitted to the table which preventsthe wind from blowing away the tablecloth and table contents. This sameconfiguration may also prevent small children from pulling the contentsof an entire table down upon themselves and is convenient for in homeuse.

In FIG. 1, the top center of the fabric (1) may have an umbrella hole(not shown) sewn into the fabric for the insertion of a decorativeumbrella to create a shady space during outdoor picnics and events.

The drawstring tablecloth operation and set up may easily be performedby a single individual with great speed and efficiency.

What is claimed:
 1. A reusable, adjustable drawstring tablecloth cover,comprising: a. an adjustable drawstring tablecloth cover is washable,dryable, reusable, recyclable and environmentally friendly reducing theamount of disposable plastics in landfills. b. a piece of fabric greaterthan the size of the table surface, made of any suitable material cut ina pre-determined size and shape, to cover an outdoor picnic table orindoor dining or work table. c. a hole is cut into a pre-determined spotwithin the anticipated hem for grommet placement. d. a hem is sewn intothe fabric at approximately 1 inch around the perimeter of the entiretablecloth. e. a drawstring greater in length than the perimeter of thetable is sewn into the hem, or later inserted into the hem via thegrommet hole with a threading tool. f. a drawstring exits the hemthrough the pre-cut hole and grommet pressed into the predeterminedlocation on the fabric. g. the two drawstring ends are inserted througha cinch and tied off in two separate knots to prevent drawstringslippage back into the hem during washing or drying. h. the tying off ofthe two separate knots at the end of each drawstring exiting the grommetand cinch is a safety feature. i. when pulled tight, the cinching of thedrawstring causes the hem to grab the underbelly lip of the table andsecure to the table so as not to blow away in the wind. j. a drawstringtablecloth cover is a protective tablecloth cover upon which food ordecorations may be placed upon an unclean or unattractive outdoor tablesurface. k. an adjustable drawstring tablecloth protects a table surfacefrom the repercussions of arts and crafts, science projects, workshopactivities, food spillage, and various other activities. l. A drawstringtablecloth cover wherein the shape is round. m. A drawstring tableclothcover wherein the shape is square. n. A drawstring tablecloth coverwherein the shape is rectangular. o. A drawstring tablecloth coverwherein the shape is oval.
 2. The adjustable drawstring tablecloth coveras in claim 1, is secured to an indoor kitchen or dining table oroutdoor portable or picnic table and prevents young children frompulling the tablecloth and the table contents down upon themselves andothers. a. an adjustable drawstring tablecloth may enhance an outing byproviding a measure of safety and peace of mind for adults.
 3. Theadjustable drawstring tablecloth cover as in claim 1, claim 2, mayinclude an umbrella hole centered within the top surface of thetablecloth to allow for the addition of a shade umbrella if so desiredand said table accommodates such a feature.